The seats became vacant last week after their former occupants – former state senators Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, Mimi Walters, R-Laguna Nigel, and Steve Knight, R-Lancaster, respectively – assumed congressional seats they won in November.

Races for the seats started weeks ago. Former Assembly colleagues Susan Bonilla and Joan Buchanan, both Democrats, have been lining up endorsements in their bids to succeed DeSaulnier in the 7th. Assemblyman Don Wagner, R-Irvine, and former Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach, a Republican, are running for Walters’ former seat.

In Knight’s former district, former state Sen. Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, has lined up endorsements to return to the upper house.